Was Virat Kohli behind Jonny Bairstow’s ‘beast mode’ vs India?

Jonny Bairstow smashed 106 runs in 140 ball in the rescheduled fifth Test vs India at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Sunday. The 32-year-old guided England past 250 runs in the first innings after they were reeling at 83/5 in the 26th over. 

Bairstow reached his 11th Test century, fifth in 2022, in 119 balls. He was hitting the Indian bowlers all over the park. England added 43 runs after the hard-hitter was dismissed and folded at 284, 132 runs short of India’s first innings totals (416). 

Also read: Watch: Kohli animated after Jadeja brings out sword on reaching century

However, Jonny Bairstow did not bat fluently throughout his innings. The Englishman had scored 13 runs from the first 61 balls faced. However, he picked up speed and scored the rest 93 in the next 79 deliveries.

Social media users, several former cricketers and experts pointed out that Bairstow got into ‘beast mode’ only after former India captain Virat Kohli sledged him. The two two were seen involved in an heated arguement early on Day 3. The two on-field umpires, Aleen Dar and Richard Kettleborough, had to step in and calm them down.

Also read: Brian Lara reacts after Bumrah breaks his 19-year-old record in Birmingham Test

However, Kohli kept ledging Bairstow from the slip cordon. He was head saying, “Shut up. Just stand and bat” while the Englishman faced skipper Jasprit Bumrah in the 33rd over. 

Calling it the trigger to Baistow’s beserk mode, former Indian opener Virender Sehwag tweeted that while the Englishman was batting like Chesteshwar Pujara, taking his time, early in the day, Kohli’s sledging got him all fired up, and he ended up playing like Rishabh Pant. The Indian wicketkeeper scored a brilliant 111-ball 146 on Day 1.

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“Jonny Bairstow’s Strike Rate before Kohli’s Sledging – 21. Post Sledging – 150. Pujara ki tarah khel rahe thhey, Kohli ne Pant banwa diya bewajah sledge karke (He was playing like Pujara, Kohli turned him into Pant after sledging him),” Sehwag tweeted.

“Don’t poke the Bear that is Johnny Bairstow again please,” West Indies legend Ian Bishop tweeted. 

“Why do opposing teams keep making Jonny Bairstow angry lol, he gets 10x better. Give him a gift basket each morning, let him know you’re having his car valeted while he’s batting. Anything to keep him happy ?” Kiwi all-rounder Jimmy Neesham said.